Phil Hay

Ross McCormack was set to hand Leeds United a major boost this morning by returning to training and declaring himself fit for Saturday’s game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The striker was absent from Thorp Arch yesterday (Feb 7) after coming down with illness earlier in the week but Leeds are optimistic that he will recover in time to start at Molineux.

The bug forced McCormack to miss Wednesday’s international friendly between Scotland and Estonia and he made a premature exit from the Scotland camp having travelled north immediately after last weekend’s defeat to Cardiff City.

Manager Neil Warnock said: “I’d rather it was this way round than the other way where he goes away, plays and then comes back with flu.

“He’s had 24 hours dosed up and he feels a lot better. Hopefully he can have a training session and put himself in contention.”

McCormack is Warnock’s main fitness concern, though midfielder Rodolph Austin’s late return from international duty could see him drop to the bench tomorrow.

Austin was due to land in England today having 90 minutes played for Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier against Mexico on Wednesday.